Ronnie O'Sullivan 'needs to win big tournament like the Masters going into World Championship' - Jimmy White
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Updated 06/01/2023 at 11:54 GMT
Jimmy White and Neal Foulds have given Eurosport their predictions ahead of the Masters in January as Ronnie O'Sullivan leads an entry list packed full of the biggest names in the sport. White believes that the onus is very much on his good friend and fellow Eurosport expert O'Sullivan, with the event acting as the perfect preparation for his attempt at an eighth World Championship title.
'I'm going to go with O'Sullivan' - White and Foulds give predictions for the Masters
Eurosport expert Jimmy White has said that winning the Masters will be very important for Ronnie O'Sullivan ahead of the World Championship.
O'Sullivan will be eyeing a record eighth crown at The Crucible in January as he attempts to pull away from fellow legend Stephen Hendry's tally of seven in Sheffield.
The Rocket has always regarded the Triple Crown as very important in his annual schedule.
For White, it is important that O'Sullivan works hard on his game in the lead-up to the Masters to ensure he finds his very top level at the start of the action, particularly because that could aid his preparations for the World Championship.
With the star-studded field set to take to the tables at the Masters, White is confident that it will be an enthralling event with Judd Trump and Mark Allen among those set to compete with O'Sullivan for an important title in the snooker calendar.
"Every match is like a final," White told Eurosport about the Masters. "You have got the best players in the world playing.
"It's the Triple Crown with big prize money and big crowds. I am looking forward to seeing Ronnie O'Sullivan.
"Hopefully, he gets himself in tip-top condition, practises hard over Christmas and gets ready for it because, for me, he needs to win a big tournament, like the Masters, going into the World Championship.
"Judd Trump is really struggling for form. He is practising hard, he is just not getting any results. He is putting in all the work, but he just seems to be getting beaten in the latter stages of tournaments. He is getting to around the quarter-finals, but not the semis or finals.
"Mark Allen has been the player of the season. He has won so many tournaments and been so consistent.
"You would always fancy now that he would be there or thereabouts."
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‘O’Sullivan wants to win 10 World Championship, 10 Masters and 10 UK titles’ – White
Asked for a predicted winner, White added: "When Ronnie lost in the UK [Championship] to Ding 6-0 I think he had had enough snooker after winning tournaments.
"He will get his nut down and practise really hard. I expect him to be in tip-top condition for this Masters so I am going to go with O'Sullivan."
Neal Foulds said: "I have to be predictable and say I think Ronnie. We have seen him not fully geared up, but the Masters is on his hit list so I am going to play it safe and say Ronnie can win it for the eighth time."
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Ronnie O'Sullivan with his 7th world trophy
Image credit: Getty Images
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